Book Riot - The Podcast

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Seuss Enterprise’s decision to stop publishing a half-dozen books, continue ruminating on a “is it good?” segment, admire Murakami’s evasive accessibility, get into some labor talk, and finally discuss the current state of podcasting. Discussed in this episode: 6 Dr Seuss books ceasing publication because of racist imagery Seuss Enterprise’s statement Murakami’s t-shirt line Spotify podcast listeners forecasted to top Apple this year Union booksellers protesting at Strand Biden expresses support for Alabama workers attempting to unionize Amazon warehouse Great long piece about recent PoC hires poised to lead publishing in a new direction See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca talk about another format they might want to try for talking about books, whether 2020 means we can finally stop confusing the fate of bookstores with the fate of publishing, catch up with some listener feedback, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Bookstore sales fell 28.3% in 2020 Big-picture look at the possible impact of PRH/S&S Charles Yu establishes prize for Taiwanese American writers Underground Railroad teaser trailer Hillary Clinton writing novel w/ Louise Penny Coming Soon: Sword, Stone, Table edited by Jenn Northington and Swapna Krishna See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca talk about what books actually get read, emotionally manipulative novels, tackle a couple of listener question, and try another guessing game. Discussed in this episode: While nothing we talked about today was newly linkable, I did promise to provide footage of Rebecca after her incredible showing last week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca discuss the winner of the Spring Preview draft, Hachette getting out of the right-wing publishing game, the Obamas adaptation-heavy Netflix slate, and Jeff inadvisedly challenges Rebecca to a new game. Discussed in this episode: Big 5 named as co-defendants in ebook price fixing suit Hachette fired last remaining editor who would publish conservative BS Obamas ink 6-project deal with Netflix, including adaptation of Exit West See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca reflect on the end of Jeff Bezos’ tenure as CEO of Amazon, the launch of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club app, and comment on a commendation for LeVar Burton. Discussed in this episode: Bezos stepping down as Amazon CEO Reese’s Book Club has an app LeVar Burton named first PEN/Faulkner Literary Champion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn Northington joins Jeff to talk about a new ebook price-fixing lawsuit, the meteoric rise of Amanda Gorman, the high degree of difficulty of adapting The Sparrow, and much more. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Discussed in this episode: Update: Hawley’s book pick up by Regnery The Amanda Gorman phenomenon Ebook Price Fixing Lawsuit Queen’s Gambit creator to adapt The Sparrow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca preview the interesting new Spring releases in the form of a draft! They each drafted 10 books to make a basket with the intended audience of a generally interested reader. And they need your help to decide who won! Take a look at the lists below, and then email podcast@bookriot.com with your vote for who drafted the best all-around basket. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Rebecca’s List: Long Time Coming by Michael Eric Dyson Good Company by Cythnia d’Aprix Sweeney Aftershocks by Nadia Owusu No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood How Beautiful We Were by Imbolu Mbue Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir How to Change by Katy Milkman The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter Soul of a Woman by Isabelle Allende   Jeff’s List: The Survivors by Jane Harper My Year Abroad by Chang-rae Lee Think Again by Adam Grant Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel Sure, I’ll Be Your Black Friend by Ben Philippe The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Simon & Schuster pulling Josh Hawley’s book, Powell’s getting heat for carrying a title, discuss how to structure their spring 2020 preview, and much more. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Discussed in this episode: S & S cancels Josh Hawley’s book contract MTV Books is coming back Bridgerton books get that Netflix bump Powell’s caught in stocking controversy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the best-selling books of 2020, Eat a Peach follow-up, how the publishing industry fared last year, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Publishing did all right in 2020  Print book sales rose 8.2% in 2020  NYT bestsellers of 2020  We have to talk about this bonkers phishing scam in publishing  Response to Eat a Peach  More on American Dirt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca share their favorite things from 2020 that were not books. Discussed in this episode: Summer Camp Island Making of Frozen 2 The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Vast of Night Over the Moon Soft Baked Pretzel recipe from Tasty Carto Overcooked 2 Legend of Zelda, The Breath of the Wild Work at Home with Blossom Dearie Playlist Christmas tree stand The Velvelettes Printfresh robe Makers of Wax Goods candles Gaslighter by The Chicks Hearts Town by The War & Treaty The Book on Pie by Erin Jeanne McDowell Left Right Center podcast Michelle Obama podcast You and Me Both (Hillary Clinton) podcast 60 Songs That Explain the 90s Insecure Babysitters Club The Politician Pen15 Soulmates See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices